This song brings back memories of Oakland circa 2007/early 2008.  It’s a reminder that while we can not go back in time, we can definitely go back in fun(k)

Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators – Keep Reachin’ Up – YouTube.

For no other reason than this song popped up on the ipod this morning while I was working…

10. Elton John – Honky Tonk Woman (Live in New York 17-11-1970) – YouTube.

The NYT recently ran two pieces about increased involvement by men in PTAs.  First appearing in the Sunday edition with a supplement in Monday’s School Book, these articles explored how what’s happening in New York’s public schools is part of a nationwide trend:

A 2009 study by the National Congress of Parents and Teachers and the National Center for Fathering, a nonprofit educational organization, found that 590 of 1,000 fathers surveyed nationwide said they attended school parent meetings. That is up from 470 out of 1,000 a decade earlier.

via A Father’s Place Is in the School – SchoolBook.

While I have not joined the PTA, I’ve gradually become more active/present in the school-lives of both boys over the last two years.  In Teen Khalifa’s case, I was simply another  “Football Dad,” that army of men that for the love of the gridiron does everyone from 6am drop-offs to cooking breakfasts for the team.  Sports have long been the one place where you are guaranteed to find paternal engagement.

With Singing Biscuit it’s a bit more complex.  He now attends school where I work, so not only have I had to acclimate myself to this environment as a teacher/employee, I am also having to do so as a parent.  This is no easy task, and one that I am just now starting to get the groove of.  Singing Biscuit’s teachers are both my peers and his teachers so I have to remember to keep the same distance as I would with one of Teen Khalifa’s teachers when approaching them.

These NYT articles really resonated because in some ways I am where many of the men mentioned in the article were 5-6years prior and its interesting reading about their evolutions at their children’s schools.

I found the first half of this video interesting. It’s great seeing images like this of fathers communicating with sons about things other than sports. Even a diehard sports fan like myself, I say only about 20% of the conversations I have with the boys involve sports. There are certain spikes, but for the most part, we talk precisely about what this man and his two boys talk about…school and what they’re learning in general

saw this video on a friend’s fb page and had to share. june has a voice evocative of early 20th century blues singers. the more subdued john forte that is present on this track is also a gem…

Give Me Water – John Forte & Valerie June – YouTube.

Admit it, you know you loved this joint…

Need I say more…

Luther Vandross – If only for one night – YouTube.

Not sure how Snuggle Biscuit managed to live without ever hearing this song, but thanks to yours truly shoe’s now been initiatied

The Blackbyrds – Rock Creek Park – YouTube.

Every so often I stumble across an item that has now become emblematic of this transition from bachelor to baba. After I finished feeding Turtle Biscuit this morning I took a look at this teacup and my mind wandered back to its origin. When I first purchased it I was a bachelor in BK dreaming up a book called “Brooklyn Bedrooms.” This teacup was part of a tea set that was intended to give my bachelor pad some softer edges. Never did I think that one day these cups would be holding various smoothies and veggie purees created for Turtle Biscuit. Thinking back on it, I couldn’t help but smile at how much things have changed and how blessed I’ve been for these changes.

Heaven is a place on earth with you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPb6O52_rYU